Games: 21-30

[VHL Games 1,188]

Game 21:

Houston Bulls vs. Mississauga Hounds

Game 22:

Las Vegas Aces vs. San Diego Marlins

Game 23:

Mexico City Kings vs. Ottawa Lynx

Game 24:

Miami Marauders vs. Halifax 21st

Game 25:

Saskatoon Wild vs. Philadelphia Reapers

Game 26:

San Diego Marlins vs. Saskatoon Wild

Game 27:

Las Vegas Aces vs. Mexico City Kings

Game 28:

Philadelphia Reapers vs. Mississauga Hounds

Game 29:

Halifax 21st vs. Houston Bulls

Game 30:

Ottawa Lynx vs. Miami Marauders

Go to Standings

[Ziggy Dupree 17]

 A Way Too Early VHLM Early Season Review

With Team-by-Team Analysis by Ziggy Dupree

 

              Well, we’re only a handful of games into the new season but who says it’s too early for a little reflection, analysis, and a few predictions on the campaign to come! *This article is meant solely for fun and not trying to be judgmental or critical of any team/player in the league. I’m writing this as if I were a 3^rd party media member. Enjoy.*

The San Diego Marlins are pacing the league with 12 points (all wins) through the first 6 games of the season. A wild goal differential of +20 lets everyone know what they need to, they score a ton and play lock down defense in their own end.

Following not far behind in the pack of tier 2 teams are the Houston Bulls, the Halifax 21^st, Philadelphia Reapers, Mississauga Hounds, Ottawa Lynx, and the Miami Marauders. These are the teams that have kept the record books above .500 for the year so far and look to gain some ground on the mighty Marlins. Goal differentials and winning streaks range from +4 to -12 and W3 to L2 respectively. This tier is wide open, and the fans can’t wait to see how things shake out in the next 10-20 games or so.

The bottom tier to start the season holds the Mexico City Kings, Las Vegas Aces, and the Saskatoon Wild (my team!). While these teams have a losing record, the season is young and there is plenty of time for self-reflection and improvement. The league has seen teams come back from such starts, but the ships need to start righting themselves soon if the playoffs are in the cards for these guys. The Kings and Aces are within striking distance and are within 2 points of the Bulls and 3 or 4 points back of the group of 4 teams with 7 points. The Wild are pulling up the rear of the league with only 3 points in 6 games.

 

Eastern Conference

Halifax 21st

 

The 21^st got off to a hot start at 4-0. Everything was looking great until a recent 2 game skid derailed the winning train. Pacing the team with 8 points are Braeden Panarella and Anze Kopitar. Not far behind are Bedirhan Paard, Marc Gorman, and Jimi Jacks with 7 points. Nobody is running away with the goal scoring on this team as Panarella has 4 goals and 3 other players have 3 goals. Gorman is in the assist lead on the team with 6 apples. Vezina between the pipes has been solid with a .904% save percentage and 1 shutout on the year.

 

Philadelphia Reapers

 

              The Reapers start the season at 3-2-1. Kai Bandz started off with a hat trick in Game 1! Elias Lampi is staying busy dishing the puck with 5 early assists and also taking defensive responsibility with 9 blocked shots through 6 games. Suhayb Hussein has the sneakiest stat line with 3 goals…. On 42.86% shooting percentage. Let the man rip it more often and the Reapers should gain ground quickly. Evan Bihler has an .877% save percentage. Solid but not spectacular. He has room to improve that throughout the year.

 

Mississauga Hounds

 

              Mississauga is also 3-2-1 and riding a 2-game winning streak. BALANCE is the key word when you look at the Hounds. Only 1 player does not fall in the 9-7-point range. It’s a team game and everyone on this roster is contributing with goals and assists. Wagner in net has been spectacular with a .925% save percentage and a sub-3 GAA. Going forward, Barca and Foley will need to differentiate themselves from the pack as they are the best on the team (TPA wise).

 

Miami Marauders

 

              Swinsola is carrying the Marauders with a 5g-5a-10p stat line on the year, good for t-8^th in league scoring. But again, balance seems to be the vibe around Miami as the rest of the team is not far behind in scoring and everyone is carrying their weight on this roster. Dinghoa Aland is currently 2^nd in the league with 15 blocked shots and Shotter is not far behind with 11. Way to give up the body, and the Marlin’s record shows it. Telker checks in with a .909% save percentage.

 

Ottawa Lynx

 

              And currently last, but not least, in the East are the Ottawa Lynx. Still being above .500 is a testament to the strength of the Eastern Conference. Brayden Albrecht leads the team with 13 points on the year. Mac Atlas is laying the body with precision with 20 hits and only 2 PIM. There +4 goal differential lets us know that the Lynx are poised to climb the standings challenge the Halifax 21^st for the conference lead in the coming weeks.

 

Western Conference

 

San Diego Marlins

 

              Wow, wow, wow. A 6-game winning streak to go along with a +20 (!!!) goal differential is amazing. Sjin and Oreo McFleury (great name) at both at 13 points for the Marlins. With a large roster, I think the Marlins will be able to plug any holes that may pop up due to injury, suspension, or roster moves. It goes without saying that a team that is 6-0 excels at all aspects of the game. The forwards spread the puck around and the defense hit and block shots. On the back end, Lion hold the fort down with a .922% save percentage. I think he will get that first elusive shutout soon enough.

 

Houston Bulls

 

Houston appears to be a top-heavy team. Coming in at 3-3-0, the Bulls top 3 scorers are Connor McLaughlin (11p), Ray Alexander (11p), and Grunkle Stan-dingyouup (10p). The rest of the team falls behind with the next closest scorer at 4 points. The bottom end of the roster must step up if the Bulls hope to stay up in the standings. Shadow Thompson has a .905% save percentage but a near 3.5 GAA, which tells fans that a lot of shots are getting through. Only time will tell with Houston.

 

Mexico City Kings

 

              The top 2 point getters in the VHLM (Alexander Stroheim (18p) and Grizz Tazo (16p)) are the highlights of a talented and deep Kings roster. Excellent shooting percentages and shot blocking on the back end of the lineup drives this team. Goaltender Ross Glagau needs to up his game, but the young Canadian has the experience and the tools to quickly rebound this season. The rest of the roster is solid with Riggins (9a) being the secondary playmaker on this team.

 

Las Vegas Aces

 

              This team is anchored by defensemen Juan Ceson. Leading the way with 9 assists, 27(!) hits, and 13 shot blocks he is playing very well. It’s a matter of time before he cracks the goal column. Owners of the worst goal differential in the league, it shows on the roster’s +/- column, but that can be remedied quickly by rookie goaltender Benjamin Taylor finding his footing in the new league. Playing better defense will be key for this squad.

 

Saskatoon Wild

 

              Currently riding a 3-game losing streak, the Wild limp into the standings at this point. Asher Boham has played valiantly posting an .899% save percentage in front of a lackluster squad. Centers Trash, Ibrahimovic, and Lefevre buoy the team with solid shooting percentages. Admir Bala leads the league in hits and the rest of team generally plays well together. I don’t expect this team to be in the cellar at the culmination of the season.

 

Hope everyone enjoyed the read and here’s to a great season lads!

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